The preparation of manageable low-ash, low-moisture coal combustion and/or conversion (i.e., liquefaction, gasification) feedstocks is a priority for future energy development Physical cleaning by conventional washability techniques, followed by dilute acid leaching, has produced lignite, subbiluminous, and brown coal products with less than I wt, % ash on a dry basis on a laboratory scale. Agglomeration yields have ranged from 85 to 99wt. %. Ash contents have been less than 2wt. % moisture- and oil-free for a North Dakota lignite. After air-drying the agglomerates overnight, Karl-Fischer moisture analysis indicates the moisture levels are less than 5 wt. % in the agglomerates. After thermal drying of the coal, the moisture levels are less than 0.5wt. %.